Hi guys,
I'm aware that the G8 GT doesn't have an transmission fluid dipstick like virtually every other car out there. I'm also aware that the only true way to check the transmission fluid is to put the car on a lift.

My question is - and I'm assuming most people here do not have lifts - is everybody just hoping that their fluid level is correct? I dont like to go by just hope but I don't think there's anything we can really do about it apart from taking the car to the dealer. Draining and re-filling with fluid is not a DIY job, I assume?

I've been to three dealers in So Cal area for various service and warranty work. While getting my oil changed at one dealer two months ago, I asked the service writer about tranny fluid level and procedure for checking fullness. He replied "no need to check because fluid level is full from factory, and the transmission is sealed". I asked service writer how it could be confirmed that fluid level is full, is there a procedure in place to check fluid level? Again he gave the same answer, "transmission is full from factory and sealed, no need to check level". I received pretty much the same response at two other dealerships.

There is a procedure for checking fluid’s level describe at Charlie's forum and it does require vehicle being lifted and engine running. The procedure may also be somewhere on this forum.

Short of performing the procedure, only other way to ensure fluid level is correct would be to have it changed I guess.

Why was the tranny dipstick omitted? In order to cut costs? It's really inconvenient not having one.

It's not exactly a G8 thing, but more a modern vehicle thing...check most of everything out there now. A lot still do, but more and more most don't have one, going back at least a few years.

At least it isn't to the BMW and others way of doing things where there isn't even an oil dipstick, but rather another team of sensors that give you an electronic readout on an interior DIC with either the specific oil level percentage or just a flashing/chiming warning of it being too low:

It's one part cost savings, one bigger part so few people (rightfully or ignorantly) never even give 2 seconds thought to such things on their cars now anyway, other than taking it to their dealer for service, why bother. I'd like having a trans dipstick, of course, but I know about such things and would check it myself...but "we" are in the vast minority.

In all, it's just not uncommon now, and a lot more common than you'd think...the G8 is just for a lot of us one of the first new cars you're switching to vs. others before where you're finally seeing it. It's my 3rd without, now. Just how it's going to be now, for most everything from everyone.

It's easily checked if you have a lift. It's not "sealed". Bottom line- The manufacturers, not only GM, do not trust us to put the right kind of fluid in so they make it harder to do so.

The biggest surprise for me is that no aftermarket company has stepped up to the plate to provide us an add-on dipstick. The hole is there......

Which is really sad, because this way you won't even know if it's low unless it gets bad enough to exhibit a problem. By that point, you could've already done damage to it.

And before someone says it...yeah, not a problem for the first 100K miles because of the warranty (as long as they can't prove you modified it in some way). But, I plan on keeping this thing for well over 100K and it can take awhile for damage to show up.

Ah well, cross my fingers and hope until someone comes out with a dipstick kit like you talked about.

I checked mine a couple of weeks ago when getting the tires swapped out. It's sort of a dipstick, with a locking inner rod. My fluid level was at the lower edge when cold. My dealer said to check it when off too, I'd guess so that the engine isn't running up in the air. Pull the locking rod up to release and check, put back in, and push the locking rod back down.

Good discussion. The reason that I ask is that one of my older cars had transmission failure that the dealer attributed to the previous owners' neglect to replace the fluid. I realize that the ATF used now runs up to 100,000 miles, but what really irks me is that if the tranny fluid is low, you would never know UNTIL your tranny is burned out. Honestly, if I didnt know better, I would think it's a conspiracy by transmission specialists to drum up business.

I checked mine a couple of weeks ago when getting the tires swapped out. It's sort of a dipstick, with a locking inner rod. My fluid level was at the lower edge when cold. My dealer said to check it when off too, I'd guess so that the engine isn't running up in the air. Pull the locking rod up to release and check, put back in, and push the locking rod back down.

You're doing it wrong and your dealer is wrong. It must be checked the factory way.

Warm engine/trans
Raise car on lift
Run engine in park
Remove plug in trans pan
Pump fluid into fill hole (the thing you are using to check) until fluid just dribbles out of hole in pan
Replace plug and filler cap

I'll look and mess around the next time I'm under the hood and see what I can see. Seems that there ought to be a way to do something. Ah, well. Fingers still crossed.

Yea, 2 of us tried the Escalade stick, one with headers, one with stock exhaust manifolds. I think the only way to do this is going to be a flexible tube like the Lokar sticks use. Unfortunately they don't make one to fit our trans and none of the hole sizes are the same for other trans.

I did a lot of research on this. Came up to a brick wall with few openings. One company, Masta Performance Inc (google them), said he was sure he could make one but needed a G8 for fitting. Unfortunately he's in Milford Michigan, I'm in Florida.

If you come up with any ideas, please PM me. I can help with costs maybe as I REALLY want one....

Good discussion. The reason that I ask is that one of my older cars had transmission failure that the dealer attributed to the previous owners' neglect to replace the fluid. I realize that the ATF used now runs up to 100,000 miles, but what really irks me is that if the tranny fluid is low, you would never know UNTIL your tranny is burned out.

Did you ever fret about the rear axle not having a dipstick? I never did.

A differential is a lot more simple than a transmission and to check replace is 100x easier and doesn't require any "special" procedures that can't be done at home. Would you prefer your engine doesn't have a dipstick either, after all it is "sealed" in theory as well.

Most engines consume oil, and as a result, have a need to be monitored. I don't worry about my transmission. Like a rear-axle, it's pretty evident if it's losing oil simply by looking at it's exterior.

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